Wilding conifers

If allowed to spread further, wilding conifers could seriously alter New Zealand's unique landscape. Learn about the programmes and partnerships we've put in place to stop these trees from spreading and what you can do to help.

On this page:

The problem

It's estimated 20% of New Zealand will be covered in unwanted wilding conifers within 20 years if their spread isn't stopped. Wilding conifers already cover more than 1.8 million hectares of New Zealand. Despite control efforts, they have been spreading at about 5% a year. That's about 90,000 more hectares a year.

A major threat

Planted in the right place, introduced conifer trees such as pines and firs can:

provide timber

store carbon

decrease erosion

filter soil nutrients

improve water quality

provide shelter and shade for stock.

In the wrong place, these conifers are a major threat to New Zealand's ecosystems, land and farms. Their seeds can be blown many kilometres by wind, and have spread into areas such as farmland, the high country (including above the native bush line), and public conservation land. Seedlings quickly infest an area. If they aren't removed, these wilding conifer trees compete with native plants and animals for sunlight and water, and can severely alter natural landscapes.

Controlling the spread of wilding conifers is important if we're to protect our ecosystems, iconic landscapes and farms. Control will also help with water conservation.

What we're doing about them

The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme aims to prevent the spread of these tree pests and to progressively remove them from much of the land already invaded.

The Right tree in the right place: The New Zealand wilding conifer management strategy 2015-2030 provides the framework for this programme.

MPI, the Department of Conservation, and Land Information New Zealand are leading the work, with support from other central and local government agencies. Forestry and farming industries, landowners, researchers and communities are also providing support.

More government funding to help

It's estimated about $11 million is spent each year on wilding conifer control nationwide. In May 2016, the government pledged an extra $16 million over 4 years for the first phase of a national control programme. The new funding will be used to tackle wilding conifers in the highest priority areas.

Over a million hectares in year one

In the programme's first year (2016 to 2017) we've controlled and prevented the spread of wilding conifers across around 1.2 million hectares of New Zealand's high country. Our success is due to the funding support and commitment of all involved – wilding tree management groups, land holders, and central and local government. The controlled areas include conservation land and farmland in:

Kaimanawa (Central North Island)

Molesworth (Marlborough)

Amuri-Lewis (North Canterbury)

Porters, Craigieburn (Arthur's Pass)

Four Peaks, Hakatere (South Canterbury)

Godley (Mackenzie)

Kakanui – St Mary-Ida (Northern Otago)

Dunstan (Central Otago)

Kawarau, Northern Eyre, Remarkables (Queenstown)

Five Rivers (Northern Southland).

Nearly 400,000 more hectares in year two

The government is adding a further 371,000 hectares to the programme in 2017 to 2018. The new areas to be controlled are in: